Transformative Improvements Underway at Van Cortlandt Manor
As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Historic Hudson Valley has launched a once-in-a-generation construction project at Van Cortlandt Manor, the Revolutionary-era home of one of early New York’s most prominent families and the site of the beloved Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.
Pierre Van Cortlandt was George Washington’s close friend and a prominent Patriot General during the war. Sited in the so-called Neutral Ground between the British and Patriot zones – though it was often raided by soldiers from both sides – Van Cortlandt Manor was a transportation and communication hub during the war, with a tavern at the point of the ferry service that crossed the Croton River just east of the Hudson. Today, the site features 18th century buildings with carefully preserved interiors – some still bearing signs of the site’s occupation during the Revolution – and original furnishings.
Building upon Historic Hudson Valley’s previous investments in preservation and site improvements over the past ten years, the current project will transform the entrance to this National Historic Landmark, giving it the presence and dignity it truly deserves. Collaborating with experts in historic landscape architecture and emphasizing a preservation-based approach, Van Cortlandt Manor’s entry gate will be replaced with a period-appropriate structure that offers greater visibility and safety, and new signage and traffic islands will be installed. In addition, the project will establish a permanent, paved entrance area from the parking lot for visitor entry and seasonal amenities. This phase of construction is expected to be completed by July 2026.
Patira Puttharuksa, Senior Director of Property Stewardship, expressed her excitement about the initial progress in this multi-phase plan, stating, “These capital improvements will address safety, accessibility, and infrastructure across the site, as well as manage stormwater runoff and invasive plant species. I’m thrilled to see this project underway and am honored to play a part in preserving this National Historic Landmark for many generations to come.”
Starting in November 2026, the work will focus on the historic core, including the “Long Walk,” an approximately 800-foot brick walkway created during the site’s restoration in the 1950s that is now in need of updates. The project will widen, regrade, and restore the Long Walk, as well as reset other paved areas and stabilize the stone retaining wall. These efforts will make it safer and more accessible to visitors to explore the area from the Manor House to the historic Ferry House.
Historic Hudson Valley aims to complete the entire project by Spring 2027. After these improvements, school programs will resume, educating K-12 students about the history of the site during the American Revolution and the early years of the nation. Students will learn about the Van Cortlandt family and the lives of those they enslaved, challenging the misconception that slavery in the North ended with the American Revolution.
Additionally, these improvements will enhance the experience for visitors to Blaze, Historic Hudson Valley’s biggest seasonal event and a crucial source of funds for our educational and historic preservation mission, while supporting local businesses by drawing visitors.
Support for this major project has come from a range of sources, including an initial grant from the Federal Highway Administration, appropriated due to a decommissioned segment of US Route 9 that bisects the historic property. The project is also funded by Empire State Development, the Indian Point Community Fund, State Senator Pete Harckham, and State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg. The Village of Croton-on-Hudson is Historic Hudson Valley’s municipal sponsor for the project.
All of us at Historic Hudson Valley are excited to see Van Cortlandt Manor undergo these transformative improvements and look forward to welcoming the public to a much safer, more accessible Blaze this fall.
